Understanding SSD TBW: What does TBW mean and its impact on computer performance

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TBW, or Terabytes Written, is a crucial metric for SSDs. Knowing the TBW of your SSD affects the functionality of your computer or laptop. Let's delve into its significance and role within SSDs in this article.

Solid State Drives (SSDs) have become increasingly popular due to their compact size and exceptional speed. But do you know what SSD TBW is? Why do some manufacturers specify it, while others don't? If you're a genuine SSD user, understanding SSD TBW is essential.

If you already grasp the concept of SSD TBW, it undoubtedly influences your choice when buying an SSD. Before exploring the intricacies of SSD TBW and tips for selecting the right SSD, let's unravel the meaning of TBW.

Deciphering SSD TBW

What is TBW?

TBW, short for Tera Byte Written (Note: 1 TB = 1000 GB), represents the total amount of data written on your SSD. This is a crucial metric for SSDs, measuring read/write cycles instead of the spinning disks and usage time in HDDs. SSDs have a limited number of these cycles, exceeding which may prompt the need for a replacement.

Further Explanation: Generally, software companies define 1 TB as 1024 GB, while hardware manufacturers adhere to 1 TB as 1000 GB. This discussion focuses on SSDs, so Mytour will use the hardware manufacturers' unit of measurement.

SSD Lifespan and TBW Count

We are all aware that every device has its limitations, and the lifespan of an SSD is no exception. Unlike HDDs, SSDs are composed of multiple Flash NOR and NAND Flash memory chips, each with a specific storage capacity.

Each data cell in an SSD has a predetermined number of write cycles. This is because each time new data is written to the SSD, the data cell must be erased before writing

, a process that significantly damages the memory cells, thinning the separator layers between data cells. Over time, these data cells become unable to store data, resulting in a decrease in the SSD's lifespan, often measured in TBW.

Another crucial point for readers to note is that the more memory chips an SSD has and the higher the capacity, the longer the lifespan and the more read/write cycles it can endure.

How to Check Used TBW

For certain drives like Samsung Evo, manufacturers provide dedicated software for checking. However, if your SSD lacks such a tool, you can download CrystalDiskInfo to your computer for the assessment.

Step 1: Once CrystalDiskInfo is downloaded, proceed with the regular installation.

Step 2: Choose the installation location for CrystalDiskInfo.

Step 3: Finally, click Install to set up the software. The process is swift as the software is lightweight.

After the installation is complete, click Finish to launch the software.

The details of the SSD appear; in this instance, we are using a Kingston SM2280s 120 GB, M.2 SATA standard.

Key Parameters to Note:

- Total Host Reads - Number of reads: 7.367 GB (7.3 TB)
- Total Host Writes - Number of writes: 14.051 GB (14 TB)
- Total NAND Writes - Chip memory writes: 19.623 GB (19.6 TB)
- Power On Count - Number of computer startups: 2,433 times.
- Power On Hours - Usage time: 8,202 hours.

Analyzing these metrics, we can observe that the TBW for this drive is 14 TB. The average lifespan of a Kingston 120GB SSD is around 50 TBW, indicating that this drive has utilized approximately one-third of its lifespan. As of now, this SSD has been in use for over 2 years, theoretically having another 3 to 4 years of usage before potential failure.

Some commonly found SSD models in the current market

- Samsung EVO 850 SSD 120GB, 250GB - 75 TBW.
- Samsung EVO 850 SSD 500GB, 1 TB - 150 TBW.
- Samsung EVO 850 SSD 256GB - 150 TBW, a mid-range Samsung series.
- Samsung EVO 850 SSD 512GB - 300 TBW, another mid-range Samsung series.

- Kingston A400 120GB SSD - 40 TBW.
- Kingston A400 240GB SSD - 80 TBW.
- Kingston A400 480GB SSD - 160 TBW.

- Kingston UV400 120GB SSD - 50 TBW.
- Kingston UV400 240GB SSD - 100 TBW.
- Kingston UV400 480GB SSD - 200 TBW.
- Kingston UV400 960GB SSD - 400 TBW.

There are numerous other SSD models that Mytour hasn't listed here. If you, as a reader, are looking to purchase an SSD, feel free to leave a message. Mytour will provide guidance to help you choose the best quality SSDs.

This concludes the article explaining what SSD TBW is and its significance. Mytour hopes that readers have gained additional knowledge about SSDs and can make informed choices when selecting the most suitable SSD.

For those using SSDs, don't forget to regularly check the health of your SSD. Regular health checks enhance the lifespan of your drive and help prevent issues during usage.

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